drewdat

They hired McLeish last year. Not sure anyone could make the required leap in cunning to execute both plans in consecutive years. More likely for me is lack of funding. That seems to be more in line with the evidence from the last couple years. Not sure the offer/non-offer issue will ever be resolved. There are a lot of nuances as far as that goes. From ITK, it would seem that both sides were quite far into the process, however. Denying the official offer seems to be more of a move to save face than a statement of fact in my view.

He manages Egypt's national team currently.

Quite late to this, but I think it's an excellent point.

15.

Eh? 27 points is a fair few isn't it? Pah, it's only 9 wins you know... more wins than we got in the entire season mind but still... 9 wins? Or 27 draws?

To be fair, the other tab is for the league table. Best of two bad options.

LOL at Chris Hughton on the list. Someone's got a sense of humour.

Diabolical cross from Hutton.

Heskey keeps pushing the boundaries of unlikely ways he can get in position to shoot straight at the keeper.

And bench them or drain them of their class.

Not only was Hutton's execution laughably poor, but his intentions and ideas made absolutely zero sense. It would be impossible to convince me that he isn't a saboteur.

Took a bit of a different path as he started out at an American college for one year. I don't think his failure to break through is a total indictment yet, but his time at Villa is probably running out if he can't break into the side soon. Would like to see him get a shot at Premier League football, though, even if he's not a top half player.

As a US fan, he was one of the brighter spots of a lackluster Gold Cup. The defense was obviously terrible in the final, but I didn't really think Lichaj did anything to stand out one way or the other. Not sure he's good enough at left-footed crossing to stick at LB though.

Bornstein is miserable. Sympathy isn't quite my emotion. Mexico do have some quality attackers (at least when they're wearing the national shirt). I think they'll bottle it in 2014 though. Hype alert. US have huge issues. 2014 isn't going to be pretty unless some defenders materialize from thin air. Timothy Chandler could take over for Cherundolo, but the CBs are either old, horrible, or (mostly) both. And Bradley will still be coach.

SAF has zero personal interest in Aston Villa succeeding (the other way if anything). He probably has some interest in helping a friend out of a bad situation with SHA, though. I don't think it's that difficult to see his primary motive in this (to help Eck and not Villa), even if you give him the benefit of the doubt, believing that he would never purposefully recommend poor choices to other teams. Surely that would be a consideration for anyone with a political bone in their body, however. Hopefully the board didn't place more weight upon this advice than it merited. However, I seem to remember the General mentioning SAF's support in his defense of McLeish, so...

Moyes has a better transfer record, better record with youth players moving into the squad, has achieved far more in England, is younger, and would have a better chance at keeping Downing and others, in my opinion. McLeish has some nice achievements that don't necessarily translate to the situation at hand, and he also has some shockers on the CV, such as leading Rangers to 3rd in Scotland and getting relegated with a couple different teams. It's probably unfair not to give him some credit for the Carling Cup (regardless of how easy the draw was and how lucky they were), for success in Europe at Rangers, and for repromoting Hibs and SHA after relegating each. It's also hard to tell just how much of the struggles at SHA were down to the board's interference and incompetence--however, it seems that last year's result was inexcusable regardless of any meddling based on the amount that Yeung invested in the net spend. And SHA allowed one more (or was it less?) goal than Villa last season--how much of McLeish's defensive reputation is staked onto lucking into loaning Hart and buying the central pairing from lower leagues (as well as negative football)? Hopefully he can tighten up our defence, but last season would suggest that the pieces may not be on the roster at present. I will say that I originally saw McLeish's resignation by email as unprofessional, but it appears that it was turnabout as his chief scout had been fired in a similar manner. So at least that reservation has been removed. But the biggest red flag of taking McLeish over similar (for argument's sake) candidates is the divisive nature of his appointment. McLeish has nowhere near the credentials to overcome the initial shock of his appointment for many supporters, especially coming freshly off a relegation. Funny when it happens, sad when you cast your fortunes on the architect. The board had to consider the effects of this hire, and I'm sure they think they have, but perhaps they were considering more of an internet furor rather than something with tangible effect. But every disappointing result, every young player that isn't getting enough time, every struggling starter that gets repeated chances, and every substitution made or unmade will carry that much more scrutiny unless and until McLeish puts up a lot of surprisingly good results. And although it would be nice if everyone could support him until he's proven himself one way or the other, it's unrealistic. I think most people have a strongly held opinion formed when they first heard of the likely appointment, and that opinion is going to be tough to completely change. Just my opinion.

My God, nearly relegated? How could the board even think of considering someone who almost relegated a club?

This is like buying a dodgy used car, probably breaks when you drive it off the lot, and then cruising through Fallujah.

You honestly think Downing would want to stick around now? McLeish has a bad reputation of using the wingers not well enough. Bent probably won't leave due to no choice considering his lengthly contract, but I won't expect him to stay around that long and he'll probably lose interest. I wouldn't expect it unless we unexpectedly show great improvements. That's kind of my point. People say he won't do worse than midtable with an improved squad and spending, but if all the good players leave because of a weak hire and mediocre results, what then separates Villa from relegation battlers?

That goes on the board for me. That outcome should have been completely foreseeable. By interviewing him (and especially dragging it out), the board accepts the consequences.

Not to mention, any signings would have to be a little put off by this firestorm, which isn't really AM (or the fans') fault as it was entirely predictable. Just another facet.

For Villa to remain a good side, AM would need to keep Downing and Bent or to bring in quality players on his own. Anything to suggest that he'd be able to do either? If key players walk, the gulf in quality narrows, and I'm sure he could manage getting Villa relegated from there.

Why would Villa want to let such a highly-coveted manager get away? Sir Alex loves him!

If the club have consulted the same people for McLeish's free agent status that they did for his recommendation, Villa are paying SHA 5.5 million, simple as that. Where has following the proper procedures and due diligence gotten us in the manager search? Curious how the "poor" myth started since he spent 40 million in 2 years. Could it be that his signings were mediocre and overpaid, so they were largely and rightly ignored? It seems that McLeish has not gotten the rap for a plethora of low/no impact signings because he's at a small-time club. Doesn't mean he wasn't hugely wasteful, it's just that while he was doing it at SHA no one cared. And then after spending 40 million in 2 years, he gets them relegated. Disappointing return, I'd say. And after all that, Yeung sticks with him and he quits via email. It's high comedy as long as it stays away from Villa, otherwise it's just sad.

Can he afford to be picky? I wouldn't see him definitely getting a better opportunity, regardless of the circumstances.